Heart Racing but Not Anxious? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Phoenix, AZ
Heart Racing but Not Anxious? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Phoenix, AZ
Experiencing a racing heart when you don’t feel anxious or stressed can be unsettling. You might be wondering whether your lifestyle, like coffee intake, or an underlying health condition is causing these jitters. It’s completely natural to feel concerned and want answers.
This post is here to guide you through your next steps — from understanding what kind of medical professional to see, to what initial visits and tests might cost you as a self-paying patient in Phoenix, AZ. You’re in the right place to find clear, straightforward information to help you move forward with confidence.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Phoenix, AZ
When your heart races without anxiety or obvious triggers, several types of healthcare providers can be good starting points. Here are some options:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can evaluate your overall health, check for heart symptoms, order basic tests, and help identify or rule out common causes.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: A specialist in adult medicine who can provide more focused evaluation for adult health issues, including cardiovascular and endocrine concerns.
- Cardiologist: A heart specialist who can perform detailed heart exams and tests to determine if a heart condition is causing your symptoms.
- Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist: A cardiologist sub-specialized in electrical activity of the heart, especially helpful if your racing heart might be related to arrhythmias.
- Psychiatrist: A doctor specializing in mental health who can evaluate whether subtle anxiety or other emotional factors might be contributing, even if you don’t notice feeling anxious.
Each of these providers can play a role depending on your symptoms and what your primary doctor recommends.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s a breakdown of typical procedures and self-pay costs you might expect when visiting these providers in Phoenix, AZ:
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: This visit is for your doctor to hear your symptoms, do a physical exam, and decide next steps.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Phoenix: $191.39 (typically ranges from $143.54 to $239.24)
Provider Availability: This estimate is based on 602 providers in the Phoenix area. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: A simple heart tracing test that checks your heart’s electrical activity to identify unusual rhythms or other concerns.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.40 (ranges from $16.64 to $32.15)
Provider Availability: 209 providers offer this in Phoenix. -
Procedure: Blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: Thyroid issues can sometimes cause heart racing, so this test helps rule out that cause.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.63 (ranges from $19.74 to $37.53)
Provider Availability: 41 providers. -
Procedure: Assessment of emotional or behavioral problems (CPT Code: 96127)
Purpose: To screen for any emotional or behavioral factors that might affect your heart symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $9.24 (ranges from $5.33 to $13.15)
Provider Availability: 31 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Similar to family practice but focused on adult medicine to investigate causes of heart racing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $189.36 (ranges from $142.02 to $236.70)
Provider Availability: 438 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Basic heart rhythm test to check for abnormalities.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.96 (ranges from $16.61 to $33.31)
Provider Availability: 154 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test for TSH (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: To rule out thyroid-related causes of heart racing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.56 (ranges from $19.66 to $33.46)
Provider Availability: 23 providers. -
Procedure: Annual depression screening (CPT Code: G0444)
Purpose: Depression and other mood disorders can sometimes influence physical symptoms such as heart palpitations.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $27.74 (ranges from $20.81 to $34.68)
Provider Availability: 110 providers. -
Procedure: Blood glucose (sugar) test by hand-held instrument (CPT Code: 82962)
Purpose: To check blood sugar levels as irregular glucose can relate to heart symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $5.72 (ranges from $3.82 to $7.62)
Provider Availability: 16 providers.
Visit with a Cardiologist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Specialist heart evaluation to explore causes of racing heart.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $182.46 (ranges from $136.85 to $228.08)
Provider Availability: 181 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Electrical heart rhythm test to detect arrhythmias or other heart issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.34 (ranges from $16.74 to $41.94)
Provider Availability: 161 providers. -
Procedure: Ultrasound of heart with blood flow and valve function (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose: To visualize heart structure and blood flow to check for problems causing racing heartbeat.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $195.01 (ranges from $114.08 to $275.93)
Provider Availability: 169 providers. -
Procedure: Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG (CPT Code: 93015)
Purpose: Test how heart reacts under stress to identify exercise-induced arrhythmias or ischemia.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $119.09 (ranges from $74.33 to $163.85)
Provider Availability: 118 providers.
Visit with a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist
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Procedure: Established patient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Specialized evaluation focusing on irregular heart rhythms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $190.38 (ranges from $142.79 to $237.98)
Provider Availability: 31 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: To detect electrical issues in the heart causing racing sensation.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $30.19 (ranges from $16.73 to $43.66)
Provider Availability: 31 providers. -
Procedure: Heart ultrasound with detailed blood flow and valve function (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose: Detailed heart ultrasound to uncover subtle causes of palpitations or rapid heartbeats.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $218.72 (ranges from $142.63 to $294.81)
Provider Availability: 13 providers.
Visit with a Psychiatrist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: To evaluate subtle anxiety, panic, or other mental health issues possibly causing your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $182.59 (ranges from $136.94 to $228.24)
Provider Availability: 79 providers. -
Procedure: Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (CPT Code: 90791)
Purpose: Comprehensive mental health assessment to understand any emotional causes.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $239.23 (ranges from $179.42 to $299.04)
Provider Availability: 9 providers. -
Procedure: Assessment of emotional or behavioral problems (CPT Code: 96127)
Purpose: Quick screening to identify behavioral factors affecting your heart symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $10.94 (ranges from $5.38 to $16.51)
Provider Availability: 2 providers.
How to Interpret the Cost Estimates
Healthcare pricing can feel a bit like shopping in a crowded marketplace, where prices vary widely — and negotiating a fair price feels confusing. Here’s a quick way to read these estimates:
- The maximum cost listed is usually just below what providers typically “charge” for a procedure. Think of it like the sticker price they ask for upfront.
- The minimum cost shown is often just above the “Medicare allowed amount,” which reflects what Medicare has negotiated and usually pays providers — often close to what it costs the provider to perform the service without making much profit.
In short, your actual cost might fall anywhere within this range depending on the provider’s pricing policies, discounts, and your ability to pay upfront or negotiate.
Know Your Rights
If you are paying out-of-pocket (not using insurance), you have several protections:
- Good Faith Estimate (GFE): By law, healthcare providers must give you a clear, written estimate of expected charges if you request one or schedule services at least 3 business days in advance.
- Many providers offer self-pay discounts if you ask upfront. Don’t hesitate to inquire, “What is the cash price if I pay today?”
- You have the right to request a detailed, itemized bill and can dispute any charges you believe are incorrect or unreasonable.
- Ask for CPT codes and billing details to better understand each charge.
- Many states protect patients against unfair billing practices, especially if uninsured.
Being informed helps you advocate for fair pricing and prevents surprises.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Your health and peace of mind are important. Here’s what you can do now:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor or Internist if you want a general evaluation, or go directly to a Cardiologist or Electrophysiologist if heart issues feel more pressing. A Psychiatrist can help if emotional causes are suspected.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all symptoms, when they happen, what seems to trigger or relieve them, and any questions or concerns.
- Discuss Costs: When booking, ask about costs, self-pay discounts, and any paperwork for a Good Faith Estimate.
- Stay Positive: Taking action by seeing a professional is a strong, proactive step toward understanding and managing your symptoms.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or qualified health provider regarding any medical condition or symptoms.